THE gas-turbine-powered Experimental Advanced Passenger Train (APT-E) was reduced from four to three cars, outside Locomotion, Shildon on March 29.
This was the practical beginning of a project planned for months, the reconfiguration of the prototype train. For 19 years, if asked about moving it, the answer was always ‘No’, but the NRM team and Allelys have made this possible. NRM ‘Gronk’ No. 08911 and the on-hire BEAZ M001 road-rail shunter brought up from York (RM Dec. p76), helped with the operation.
The four cars, built at Derby in 1972, were too long for display in the museum as one set and split into a power car and trailer, with a walkway in between. TC1 was round the wrong way and has now been removed from the set and turned. It is to form a separate exhibition in either the present building, or the one under construction. The unit comprises car Nos. PC1, TC2 and PC2.
The APT-E made a rare outdoor appearance at Locomotion, Shildon on March 29 when re-formed as a three-car set.
STEVEN BARKER/NRM